Research to improve crop yields and animal health has been a foundation of the University of Nebraska since it was chartered as a land grant institution more than 150 years ago.
More recently, NU has become the academic partner to the National Strategic Research Institute, which as 1 of 14 university-affiliated research centers in the country provides support to U.S. Strategic Command.
While the line between agriculture and national security may seem indirect, leaders from both NU and NSRI see an opportunity to link the two in an effort to safeguard the nation's food and water supplies.
Through the Collaborative Biosecurity Laboratory in the Morrison Life Sciences Center on UNL's East Campus, researchers will look at how they can re-purpose defense technologies to better safeguard agriculture.
Joshua Santarpia, NSRI's research director of chemical and biological programs, said the inverse will also happen at the new lab, which celebrated its opening Monday.
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"I hope to bring to bear the expertise of (the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources) and UNL, particularly in agriculture, to solve (Department of Defense) problems," he said. "There's a lot of crosstalk between the space, and I think a lot of it is unexplored."
Researchers from diverse backgrounds — biology, chemistry and engineering, to name a few — with experience in biodetection, antimicrobial development and therapeutic delivery will soon occupy the first-floor laboratory.
The lab will also become a hub for researchers across the NU system, not just those working in Lincoln.
NSRI has not currently been tasked by the defense department with researching ways to improve biosecurity in crops and livestock operations, Santarpia said, but the research center sees the area as "ripe for growth."
"I think having the capability and bringing the right people together will help us leverage new work and growth in this area," he said. "I want to see this lab as a hub for that collaboration to do work in a common theme."
Monday's ribbon-cutting comes 10 months after NU hosted officials from the Department of Homeland Security to show off its research enterprise surrounding combating weapons of mass destruction.
During those meetings, UNL pitched its expertise in food security and water sustainability — areas the university has deemed "grand challenges" it will work to solve — as other ways it could support the Department of Homeland Security's mission, according to Vice Chancellor Mike Boehm, who leads IANR.
Boehm said the opening of the Collaborative Biosecurity Laboratory is the continuation of those talks and a jumping off point to "stimulate linkages between university researchers and NSRI researchers directly in support of STRATCOM."
IANR, which has more than a dozen research stations across the state, can support the efforts of the lab with research done in the field, Boehm added, while also partnering with regional universities like Iowa State and Kansas State on projects.
Retired Maj. Gen. Rick Evans, executive director of NSRI, said the new lab's focus on agricultural biosecurity may seem outside of STRATCOM's traditional mission of preventing, deterring and detecting biological, chemical and nuclear threats.
But it is something STRATCOM is interested in, particularly as threats to national security become increasingly more complex.
"We think this lab is going to play an important role in our support to U.S. Strategic Command going forward," Evans said. "This relationship is going to build and spur additional collaboration."
Top Journal Star photos for September
Top Journal Star photos for September

Portrait of graffiti artist Micah Mullins, who was commissioned to create a new mural in a little-known tunnel beneath the train tracks at Third and F streets. The project is part of the upcoming Streets Alive festival, sponsored by Partnership for a Healthy Lincoln. The mural depicts the neighborhood’s identity – a train, Quinn Chapel, the Mexican flag, the Volga German crest, an outline of the African continent, among others. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Nebraska fan Daniel Lenz (center) reacts after the game gets sent into overtime on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at The Railyard. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
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Nebraska's Billie Andrews connects with a pitch during a Sept. 27, 2021, game at Bowlin Stadium.
Top Journal Star photos for September

Nebraska defensive lineman Ty Robinson (99) looks on after Michigan State won in overtime, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at Spartan Stadium. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Scott Rosenbaugh, captain of the Narwhals, walks to the water station after finishing the Market to Market run on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Haymarket. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
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Nebraska’s Madi Kubik dives for an Iowa shot in the third set on Sept. 25, 2021, at Devaney Sports Center. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
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Pius X's Carson Winer (83) high fives students as he runs off the field after the game on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, at Seacrest Field. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
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Lincoln Lutheran's Max Bartels (10) gets hit by Yutan's Isaiah Daniell on a first-quarter run on Friday, Sept. 24, 2020, at Aldrich Field. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
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(L - R) Josie Ivy, Emma Bitterman and Kita Hall, all University of Nebraska - Lincoln students and Sustain UNL members, holds signs as David Corbin (background) carries an earth flag as part of the Global Climate Strike on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, on the steps of the Capitol. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

The chair that Principal Kevin Naumann will be sleeping in sits on the roof of St. Joseph Catholic School before he is raise up on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, at St. Joseph School. Naumann agreed to sleep on the roof of the school if the goal for the school's fall fundraiser was met. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
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Scaffolding surrounds The Sower, a 19-foot tall bronze statue which represents Nebraska's agricultural heritage, on Sept. 23, 2021, at the Nebraska State Capitol, as part of restoration and repair work which is expected to take 20 weeks. The scaffolding will enclose the entire dome allowing the workers to remove and store any loose gold glazed tile while they replace the water-damaged bed beneath. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Lincoln East's Noah Walters (right) throws the one of his four touchdown passes in the first half against Lincoln Southeast on Sept. 23, 2021, at Seacrest Field. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Clinton Elementary fifth graders sit on the steps of the Sheldon Art Museum while on an outdoor tour field trip on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, at Sheldon Museum of Art. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
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Lincoln Lutheran history teacher Nathan Bassett waves to students as he holds a trophy for Nebraska History Teacher of the Year during an assembly on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, at Lincoln Lutheran. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
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Waverly's Maci Steckelberg gets tagged out by Norris' Sage Burbach at first after attempting to steal second on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, at Waverly High School. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
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Nebraska's Lindsay Krause celebrates a second set kill on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, at Devaney Sports Center. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

NORMAN, OK. - 09/18/2021 - Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) scrambles to avoid the tackle from Oklahoma's Isaiah Thomas (95) in the second half on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Norman, Okla. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
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Nebraska cheerleaders Logan Larsen (bottom) and Haiden Loop cheer on the northside of the stadium on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

(L - R) Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks speaks with Sen. Justin Wayne during debate of redistricting legislation on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, on the floor of the Legislature. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Softball under the lights at Holmes Lake Park on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021. The lights are scheduled for replacement in the future. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
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An Antonov AH-124, a large Russian military plane that’s been converted to carry cargo, in this case a 220,000-pound boiler that’s going somewhere north of Sioux City, sits on the tarmac on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, at Lincoln Airport. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Fremont's Elli Dahl (82), Elkhorn South's Jaci Sievers (52) and Lincoln East's Mia Murray lead the girls varsity race at the Harold Scott Invitational on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, at Pioneers Park. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
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Sen. Adam Morfeld (foreground) references printed maps during a redistricting hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, at the Capitol. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
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Norris' Ella Waters (left) and Waverly's Hanna Allick battle in front of the net during a high school volleyball game, Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Firefighters work to put out fire of an airplane simulator during a disaster drill Lincoln Airport, Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Southwest players cheer their teammates on from the dugout on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, at Doris Bair Complex. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
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James Green (blue) watches Ryan Deakin (red) as they circle each other during the 70 kg Men's Freestyle match on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
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James Green signs autographs for fans after his win on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
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Nebraska's Kenzie Coons (10) falls after an attempted slide tackle by Loyola-Chicago's Alaina Abel (4) on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, at Hibner Stadium. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
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Nebraska's Nicklin Hames (1) bumps the ball on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Devaney Center. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
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Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) dives in the end zone for the Huskers first touchdown in the first quarter against Fordham on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Lincoln Northeast's Trevor Vocasek (17), Dylan Gray (9), Connor Alley (6), and Gavin Wilbur (71) prepare to take the field for warm ups on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, at Seacrest Field. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
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David Hollingsworth walks his grandson Jordan (11) to the stadium before the game against Fordham on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Memorial Stadium. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Lincoln Lutheran's Gabriel Schmidt (20) intercepts a ball intended for Lincoln Christian's Ben Ehlers (23) in the closing moments of the game as teammate Cooper May (11) looks on Friday, Sept 3, 2021, at Lincoln Christian School. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Lincoln Northeast's Jack Bouwens (15) kisses his girlfriend Jaedyn Sandy after Northeast won the game on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, at Seacrest Field. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
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A tree trunk growing through the bumper of a 1949 Chevrolet pickup is seen in this photo taken on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Nebraska's Kayla Caffey (3) and Lexi Sun (11) block Omaha's Lakyn Graves (18) during the Ameritas Players Challenge on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, at the Devaney Sports Center. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
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Art teacher Elizabeth Thomsen waves goodbye to her online class at Roper Elementary School, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Students walk past a Know More banner on the Delta Upsilon fraternity on the University of Nebraska - Lincoln city campus on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Darrius Booker practices basketball drills at Trago Park, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star